Opportunity used: Napoli distances Inter at the top of Serie A

In high spirits for the league leaders from Naples: Giovanni di Lorenzo and Scott McTominay celebrate against FC Torino. IMAGO/NurPhoto

SSC Napoli received some good news on this 33rd Serie A matchday hours before their home game against FC Torino. Defending champions Inter Milan, against whom they would have played a playoff match on neutral ground at the end of the season if they were level on points, slipped up in a 1-0 defeat to Roma .

But one thing was also clear: Coach Antonio Conte 's team, who had recently recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win at bottom club Monza , had to take advantage of the opportunity.

However, the Partenopei approached the task against Torino, who had only been defeated twice in 16 matches recently - coached by Paolo Vanoli - with great seriousness and determination right from the start.

Thus, the southern Italians pinned the northern Italians deep in defense from the first minute – with initial efforts from Lukaku (2nd) and Zambo Anguissa (3rd). Four minutes later, the bell came straight away after a nice build-up involving Di Lorenzo and Zambo Anguissa, who found the ice-cold finisher McTominay in the center. The Scot, who had long since become a fan favorite in Naples since his move from Manchester United last summer, wasn't satisfied yet.

And so, after some idleness and initial approaches from Turin via Adams (11th minute), Leipzig loanee and former Naples player Elmas, and Biraghi (both 20th minute), McTominay doubled the lead before halftime. Here, the midfielder again reacted faster than his opponents in the center of the penalty area and this time neatly slotted home a pass from Politano (41st minute).

The 28-year-old international thus increased his Serie A tally to eleven goals in 30 appearances this season. A record, too: Never before had a Scot scored so many goals in a single season in the Italian top flight.

How fitting: Denis Law had previously managed to score ten goals in a Serie A season as a Scot for FC Turin - this time's opponent - in 1961/62.

The rest is quickly told: The entire second half was a mere plod, amidst the constant cheers of the home fans. Almost nothing happened in front of the goal – almost: SSC substitute Billing hit the crossbar from close range in the 62nd minute and missed the all-important 3-0. But even so, it was enough for a home victory that was never in doubt, as Torino, stuck in no man's land, simply managed little to no forward action that evening.

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Diego Armando Maradona